We moved our company south, and I kept an eye on our surroundings to ensure we weren’t noticed as we made our wayto a safe place. With the forest against our back, it was safer if we had to face a group of knights, but if we wanted to be truly out of sight, we’d need to camp within the forest itself. That could be dangerous depending on which creatures lived in the area. I wasn’t sure which would be a better option.
Dras shifted his horse closer to mine, his words quiet and low in our tongue so Arlen would not hear. “If need be, we can send you alone to Al Nuzem. This occurred because Arlen left his town. If he is no longer with us, we can say he stayed in another town, and they may leave us alone.”
“If we must. Why are they causing so much fuss for one clothes maker? You would think he made clothes for the king, they are so intent on getting him back.”
Simon, who had overheard our words, spoke louder and in the common tongue for Arlen’s benefit. “I don’t think it’s Arlen specifically. I think the king finally realized people like us make up a lot more of the population than he would’ve liked. More people leaving means less taxes he can demand from the towns.”
I made a face. “There not that many.”
Arlen shook his head slowly, his expression thoughtful, “No, but how many of the people who left are part of the trade market? Trade means coin. If enough people with important jobs left the towns, their infrastructures could be crippled. That’s what I heard before you arrived. Town Torslen was devastated after so many left. If the towns fall, or have to combine to survive, taxes would definitely be interrupted.”
My brow furrowed. I hadn’t been present for the first part of the journey. The Northern Clan began this quest on their own, with only their people to make the journey, but had to return to Al Nuzem after only a few towns because the number of those fleeing was so large, they were ill prepared for it. They dropped off those they’d arrived with and gathered more wagons and protectors to guard them, including myself and Dras sothat we could better send messages back home. It was possible those who escaped from the first half of the journey had been important. I hadn’t spoken to them to find out. I hadn’t had the time to introduce myself.
“If that’s the case, I think Arlen was more of a catalyst, not the reason for the pushback,” Simon pointed out. “It could be someone from the castle had been in their town in hopes of stopping us. He escaped, he didn’t leave freely. He might not have even noticed.”
All eyes swung to Arlen, who looked abashed when he admitted, “I hadn’t been watching for newcomers. I spent days tracking the guards’ movements so I could figure out how to get out but paid little mind to much else.”
None could blame him for that. The poor man had needed to run for his life to escape his town. Spending time gathering information was smart. He wouldn’t have known to look for new arrivals.
“The reason is unimportant,” Uttin growled. “They will not get away with it. Oppression because of greed is…”
“Barbaric,” Simon finished, then grinned. “It’s a little ironic, isn’t it?”
Several of us rolled our eyes at his teasing statement. The term the townsfolk gave us was not one we came up with ourselves. We only ever referred to each other as clan. It wasn’t until the treaty was put into place and brothers began to learn the common tongue that we learned the word they used to describe us. No one cared enough to argue or try to change their minds.
The forest came into view as discussion continued over the king’s actions and the potential issues we would have finishing this journey. The plan had already changed before, when Uttin and his company returned with the first batch of rescued townsfolk and realized they needed more hands to finish the job.Two other companies were sent out to different towns in order to ensure all were covered and moved properly. How many of those were stalled now that this issue had occurred? And how many other changes to the plan would need to be made before our charges were safe?
Arlen’s touch on my arm was soft, and when I looked down at him, his expression was worried. “Are you okay?”
My brows drew together slowly. “Fine. Why?”
“You’re growling,” he pointed out. I blinked in response. I hadn’t noticed that I was making any noise.
Dras, who still rode beside me, snorted. “Tyos is overprotective. He sees every setback as a threat to his charges. He will stay growly until you are all safely over the border.
I made a face at my brother. “Are you not concerned?” I asked in our tongue. “First Arlen is chased, then we are confronted and he is threatened, and now there are knights blocking our path. I have reason to worry.”
Dras nodded slowly. “You do. But it is not our decision to make. Uttin will decide what is best. Our job is to keep them safe in the meantime. Which means no letting your new attraction distract you from your duties.”
It was a good thing we weren’t speaking in the common tongue. I didn’t want him making Arlen feel bad for spending time with me. I scowled at him. “I am not distracted.”
“Mhmm.”
“I’m not!”
Arlen, who had been watching us but couldn’t understand, looked as though he was fighting back a smile. “I don’t understand a word of what you’re saying, but I can’t help but wonder if you two are siblings. You bicker like brothers.”
Dras smirked, lifting a shoulder. “We are blood brothers. But I was born first.”
My mouth fell open. “Same day!” I argued.
Dras grinned wickedly. He was always pointing out that he was older, despite being born on the same day. Our poor mother had been subject to carrying both of us at the same time. She never let us forget the toll it took on her body. And Dras never let me forget that he was technically older.
“It was only by minutes,” I grumbled in our tongue, scowling at him. One day, he would change his tone. When we are old, he will wish he was younger.
CHAPTER TWELVE
ARLEN